2025 Pittsburgh Jazz Festival in pictures
By Bridget Arnwine
Now in its fifteenth season, the 2025 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (co-presented by Highmark and Blue Cross Blue Shield) had downtown Pittsburgh buzzing with excitement this past weekend. Liberty Avenue transformed into the ultimate jazz hangout spot as the festival delivered two full days of free, world-class music, drawing crowds from near and far.
The festival featured a stellar lineup. Vocalists Ekep Nkwelle, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Jazzmeia Horn each provided beautiful performances that demonstrated what it sounds like when skilled voices are rooted in love. Ella Bric and her band somehow managed to spin rock band Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” into a head-scratchingly beautiful jazz song. Eric Benét brought his undeniably soulful balladry to the mix while Branford Marsalis reminded everyone why he is an earned, tried, and true jazz master. Trumpeter Etienne Charles and his Creole Soul band (featuring saxophonist Godwin Louis) performed a blistering set, and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram presented an unmistakable, down-home, Mississippi blues. Singer Kandace Springs and her female trio commanded the stage with beautiful vocals and musical proficiency while Sunday night’s headliner, Bilal, pushed boundaries with his trademark style-bending sound.
The sets were beautifully presented and expertly curated. They offered a balance of tradition and adventurousness, providing legends and rising stars with equal opportunities to share their work. It was a wonderful weekend of music. Though there were some issues with sound and minor lulls between sets, the staff, crew, and volunteers were knowledgeable, efficient, enforcers of the rules, helpful, and kind.
At times, the festival felt like a block party. It was an intimate gathering that showcased the spirit of the community. The music brought audiences who traveled from far and wide together with natives of the host city and settled them like the most skilled charmers. Well done, Pittsburgh!
For those of you inclined to give, the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival needs your help for reasons that don’t need much explaining, considering the political climate. Please go to https://awaacc.org/fuelthefuture/ to support the August Wilson Center’s Fuel the Future campaign or https://pittsburghjazzfest.org/support/membership/ for information about supporting the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival.
Here’s the festival in pictures.
